Teaninich 46 Years Old 1975 JD’s Personal Choice No. 4 (Sansibar)

Single malt Teaninich, drawn and bottled by Sansibar, aged 46 year old from 1975 and bottled at 47.4%. Just 158 bottles were filled. Teaninich was first built in 1817 in Easter Ross, north of Inverness; it is one of Diageo's largest distilleries. Teaninich is Diageo's third largest distillery, and almost all its make goes to blends.

The spirit was made from a mash filter wort for a clean, grassy spirit, for a clean, oily make of real freshness. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed sweetness. At this great age the malt is full and waxy, the fruit deep and the oak polished. The cool Highland climate gives a slow, even maturation over the years. Captain Hugh Munro built the distillery to give his tenants' barley a buyer. Almost all of its make is destined for blends rather than single malt. A hammer mill and mash filter, installed in 2000, replaced the traditional mash tun.

At cask strength 47.4% it is muscular yet green. Vanilla and a light cream from the barrel, with cut grass, green tea and a soft citrus. Beneath it run cut grass, citrus and a soft wax. A grassy, gently spiced finish lingers. This is a rare single malt from a blending giant.